The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Get Happy

The song of the day for Wednesday, December 6, 2023, is “Get Happy.”

About This Song

“Get Happy” was written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler in 1930 for the The Nine-Fifteen Revue, where it was introduced by Ruth Etting. Most people today are more familiar with Judy Garland’s wonderful song and dance performance in the 1950 movie Summer Stock.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Get Happy” on May 22, 1968, for his album Yesterday I Heard The Rain. Torrie Zito wrote the arangement.

“Get Happy,” as well as Yesterday I Heard The Rain, is available on Apple Music.

If you need some help to get happy, I recommend Judy Garland from Summer Stock:

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Song of the Day: Last Night When We Were Young

The song of the day for Sunday, November 12, 2023, is “Last Night When We Were Young.”

About This Song

“Last Night When We Young Last Night” was written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg in 1935. In American Popular Song, Alec Wilder calls it a “most remarkable and beautiful song … (that) goes far beyond the boundaries of popular music.” Yip Harburg has said that he doesn’t know exactly where the title came from but that “the juxtaposition of those two phrases is almost a whole world of philosophy.” All in all, it’s a beautiful and introspective song that is much beloved by singers. Frank Sinatra included on his wonderful album In The Wee Small Hours. It has also been recorded by Judy Garland, Mel Tormé, Carmen McRae, and Tony Bennett.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Last Night When We Young Last Night” in June 1992 for his tribute album to Frank Sinatra, Perfectly Frank. Ralph Sharon wrote the arrangement. The Ralph Sharon Trio backed Bennett on this album with Sharon on piano, Paul Langosch on bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.

“Last Night When We Were Young,” as well as Perfectly Frank, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Blues in the Night

The song of the day for Thursday, October 26, 2023, is “Blues in the Night.”

About This Song

“Blues in the Night” was written in 1941 for the film of the same name by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. Arlen wrote the music first and wrote a true blues song. Johnny Mercer, who later wrote the lyrics, drew on his Southern heritage to write the exceptional blues lyrics.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Blues in the Night” in May 2001 for his album Playin’ With My Friends.

“Blues in the Night,” as well as Playin’ With My Friends, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: The Man That Got Away

The song of the day for Wednesday, October 4, 2023, is “The Man That Got Away.”

About This Song

“The Man That Got Away” was written by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin for Judy Garland to sing the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, with James Mason. Her performance of the song is legendary in film history, with 27 takes in three days, three separate sessions, and two different directors. The filmed scene is brilliant and made the song a huge hit for Garland, who sang it in most of her concerts.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “The Man Got Away” on October 28, 1959, for his album with pianist Ralph Sharon, Tony Sings For Two, released in 1961.

“The Man That Got Away,” as well as Tony Sings For Two, is available on Apple Music.

And, of course, here’s Judy Garland’s brilliant performance from A Star Is Born:

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Song of the Day: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive

The song of the day for Friday, September 8, 2023, is “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive.”

About This Song

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” was written in 1944 by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer. This charming song was written in the style of a sermon with the message that being positive is the key to happiness. Mercer is said to have heard a sermon by Father Divine, who said “You got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.” And thus this memorable song was born. The song was first used in the 1944 movie Here Comes the Waves, starring Bing Crosby and Betty Hutton. Significant recordings include those by Bing Crosby, Kay Kyser, Artie Shaw, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive” in June 1998 for his album The Playground. This album marks the first time guitarist Gray Sargent played on one of Bennett’s albums.

“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive,” as well as The Playground, is available on Apple Music.

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